Thanks for everyone's help so far for this newly minted cat sailor. I think I've figured out the mainsheet system but I'm having a heck of a time figuring out the jib rigging. I have a Prindle 18-2 with a mid-tramp traveling line (basically a traveler with a fiddle block shackled to it in the middle of the tramp). The owners manual has some fuzzy black and white photos but those aren't much help.

Does anyone have some nice shots of a rigged jib system like this? If you do, could you post them? I'd be eternally grateful. I'm not sure my hands will hold up much longer pulling on the ropes the way I am!

I've just searched through my pics but couldn't find anything that would help you. I'll take some shots for you this saturday of my P19, which has the same setup. You haven't picked the easiest boat to learn on, but once you get the hang of it you'll find that this oldie still can go fast. Have fun, keep safe and I'll get back to you on saturday.

perhaps do a search for nacra 5.2 pics on this forum. they also have a jib block wire running across the tramp that supports a fiddle block, may give you some ideas. will try and attach a few

here's another

last 1

Thank you to everyone who posted pics. The systems are not exactly the same (my wire runs port to starboard, not bow to stern), but i get the general idea of what the rigging is suppose to do. I look forward to those pics on Saturday.

My dad, brothers and I are planning on taking her out this weekend so we'll try some different things. One of the things I'm enjoying the most is figuring out all these systems through use. It's been a challenge, but an enjoyable one! Thanks again.

I don't have any pics here and won't be able to get any for you until after the weekend. But, this thread has a short explanation of the 4 way jib.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/module-forum-viewtopic-topic-1697-start-0.html

Not sure if you have this manual to look at, but it explains how the system is hooked up on pages 8-10.
http://pdf.nauticexpo.com/pdf/nacra-europe/nacra-prindle-18-19/24979-7762-_8.html


Otherwise, the basics of it are this:
You have a cable that is run across the tramp between the hulls. It's connected to a plate on each hull. Each plate moves forward and back on a track that's mounted to the hull. There's also a small block attached to each plate. In front of each plate on the hulls there is a cleat.

For the port side fiddle block: tie a line to the base of the fiddle block. Route it through the block on the port side plate, through the "pouch" on the tramp and into the cleat on the starboard hull. Do the reverse for the starboard side fiddle block.

Last step is to secure a shock cord from fiddle block to fiddle block. It should run through the pouch along with the cable and the other 2 lines you just tied on.

If you're hands hurt tuning the jib, then you either have something rigged wrong or you're using way too much hand lotion during the day. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

My jib sheet is setup in a loop. I have 2:1 purchase from each fiddle block to the jib clew. Start by tying off the sheet at one of the fiddle blocks. Route it forward to a block that will be attached to the jib clew, back through the same fiddle block, across the tramp (outside of the tramp pouch), through the other fiddle, forward through a 2nd block that will be attached to the jib clew and tie it off back at the 2nd fiddle block.

For the 2 blocks that are to be attached to the jib clew: I use a snap shackle to attach to the clew. The snap shackle is tied to the block with about 18" lines. This keeps the blocks away from the jib a bit and helps keep the blocks from banging the mast when tacking.

Hopefully that's easy enough for you to follow. If you still don't get it, I can take some pics after the weekend.

I had just uploaded several pics and data on the jib/barber hauler system i use. you can see all this at http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...8&an=0&page=0#Post142708

Here's how the wire attaches to the fore/aft traveler

Here's how the line and shockcord attach to the block

Overview of the whole system

Here's how the jibsheet runs through the block, barberhauler, the little block attached to the clew of the jib, back through the barberhauler,and attached with a bowline to the becket of the block.

Especially for you we ripped off the flap that normally covers the system <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Another view

Barberhauler

Hope these pics helped. I'm going out again tomorrow so if I can help you with some other pics, give me a shout, I'll check this thread tomorrow before I leave. Had a glorious day my friend had his first day at the helm in 20 knot + gusts, not his first time at the helm but first time in these conditions. Grilled him steaks to celebrate when we came back home, had some beers, I've had worse days <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

WOW>!!! that was really nice... can you pull off the entire tramp so i can see how you cut the grass underneath? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dunno, maybe next time when we step the mast I can ask my crew if he can slam his "foot of terror" through the tramp. When he does, I'll get you some pictures of the grass and maybe of the crew recovering in the hospital aswell <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.
Joking apart, I'm thinking of sewing four loops to the tramp and secure the corners of the flap with shockcord through the loops. Stupid or smart idea?

sounds like a decent idea to me.. but it makes me wonder if high qual velcro may work well... or perhaps several (5?) real small grommets top and bottom to "sew" a piece of bungie through it.

I expect that the velcro solution will get ripped of too easily, but on the other hand it will reattach easily, so you win some, you lose some. The bungee "sewn" through the grommets would provide some extra hold over my initial idea. Thanks for the input Andrew.